Mark 1

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ. [a] † 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: [c] †

4 John the Immerser came in the wilderness, proclaiming an immersion of a change of mind for the forgiveness of sins. [f] 5 And all the Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were immersed by him in the Jordan River, openly acknowledging their sins. [h] 6 And John was dressed in camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

7 And he was proclaiming, saying, “The one stronger than I is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not fit to stoop down and untie. 8 I immersed you with water, but he will immerse you in the Holy Spirit.”

9 And it happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was immersed into the Jordan by John. 10 And at once, coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit like a dove coming down into him; [i] 11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are my Son, the beloved; in you I have taken delight.”

12 And at once the Spirit drives him out into the wilderness. [j] 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tested by Satan; and he was with the wild animals, and the messengers were serving him.

14 And after John was handed over, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God 15 and saying, “The time has been fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near; have a change of mind and trust in the good news.” [k]

16 And passing along beside the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting in the sea, for they were fishermen. [l] 17 And Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And at once they left the nets and followed him.

19 And going on a little he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, and they were in the boat mending the nets, [m] 20 and at once he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, they went away after him.

21 And they go into Capernaum. And at once on the Sabbath he was teaching in the synagogue. [n] 22 And they were astounded at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

23 And at once there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24 saying, “What have we to do with you, Jesus the Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God.” 25 And Jesus rebuked it, saying, “Be silenced, and come out of him.” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

27 And they were all amazed, so that they debated with one another, saying, “What is this? A new teaching — with authority! And he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And the report of him went out at once everywhere, into the whole surrounding region of Galilee.

29 And at once, coming out of the synagogue, they went into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down with a fever, and at once they speak to him about her. 31 And coming to her he raised her up, taking hold of her hand; and the fever left her, and she was serving them.

32 Now when evening came, when the sun had set, they were bringing to him all who were ill and the demon-possessed; 33 and the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were ill with various diseases, and he drove out many demons; and he would not let the demons speak, because they knew him. [o]

35 And very early, while it was still night, he got up and went out and went away to a deserted place, and there he was praying. 36 And Simon and those with him hunted him down, 37 and they found him and say to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he says to them, “Let us go elsewhere, into the neighboring country towns, so that I may proclaim there too; for this is why I came out.” [p] 39 And he went, proclaiming in their synagogues throughout the whole of Galilee, and driving out the demons.

40 And a man with leprosy comes to him, urging him and kneeling, saying to him, “If you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.” 41 And being angry he stretched out his hand and touched him, and says to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” [q] 42 And at once the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.

43 And sternly warning him he at once drove him out, 44 and says to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses ordered, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim much and to spread the word, so that he could no longer enter a town openly, but was outside in deserted places; and they were coming to him from everywhere.